She’s crushing majorly on her dead brother’s best friend. I freaking knew it. I just didn’t realize they had a past connection. A really strong connection that runs deep.
“Are you in love with him?” I ask quietly.
“What? No!” Jen shakes her head, trying her best to make a quick recovery.
But I know a liar when I see one.
“He’s like family to me. Like another big brother,” she insists, her eyes locking with mine. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? I don’t want any of the girls at the restaurant to know. Plus, Colin doesn’t want anyone to know either. He doesn’t want to look like he plays favorites.”
“But you live with him. Everyone knows it.”
“He’s done this sort of thing before. Letting his employees live with him.” She shrugs. “He just wants to make sure everyone’s okay and has a roof over their head. He asked me about you, wanted to make sure you weren’t living in a shack somewhere.”
“He knows where I live.” I proceeded to tell her how he texted me, then came by my place to pick me up.
“See how nice he is? He just wanted to help you out.”
Jen’s so enamored of Colin he can do no wrong. I always wondered at his motives with me. Not that he was ever sleazy but he was certainly extra attentive. Far more attentive than any other boss I’ve ever had.
But maybe Jen was right. Maybe he looks out for those he worries about. I can’t fault him for that. He’s like a protective big brother.
“Enough talking about me. Let’s talk about you and your sexy boyfriend.” Jen grabs her glass and sips from her drink, all easy-breezy again. “I’m surprised he let you out of his sights tonight.”
“I deserve a girls’ night out, don’t you think?”
“Of course you do. So do I. So does every girl.” Jen grins when the music changes, a fast, heavy beat that has me moving in my seat again. “Did I happen to mention I know the bouncer upstairs?”
“No. Really?” I stop seat dancing. “Think he’d let me in up there?”
“As long as you promise not to order anything from the bar, I bet I could convince him.” Jen laughs when I clap my hands in excitement. “I didn’t figure you for a dancer, Fable.”
“I love to dance.” I just rarely do. When do I have time to go out clubbing? Oh, and who with? “I work a lot so I don’t get out much.”
“Well, let me work my magic and get you in there. This should be fun.” Jen whips her phone out of her pocket and starts texting, presumably the bouncer upstairs. I glance around the room, waiting anxiously for Jen to figure out a plan. She’s so nice, so easygoing and fun. I’m so glad I agreed to go out with her tonight. I needed this. Needed a taste of freedom, a taste of friendship.
Noticing Jen’s still tapping away at her keyboard, I pull my phone out and send off a quick text to Drew. He replies within seconds.
Having fun?
As much as I can without you here, I reply. Which is sort of the truth. All of a sudden, I miss him.
Give me a break.
I smile as I type a question.
Do you like to dance?
Not really.
I laugh softly. I’m not surprised. He is so not the dancing type.
“The bouncer can get us in,” Jen says, breaking through my Drew-induced mental fog.
I glance up from my phone with a grin. “You’re kidding.”
“Nope. But we need to get up there now, before the floor fills up and they start turning people away.” Jen tilts her head toward my hand, where I’m clutching my phone. “Texting hunkalicious?”
Why does everyone call Drew nicknames? Owen and Lover Boy. Jen and Hunkalicious. I should call him something like Drew Bear or Drew-bee. Something silly and dumb and just for me. He’d probably die of mortification if I tried.
“Maybe,” I say with a shrug.
She smiles. “You should have him come pick you up.”
“But what about you?”
Jen shrugs. “I’m going to swing by the restaurant before I go home. Colin just messaged me and asked me if I would.”
Ah, I get it. Colin snaps his fingers and Jen comes running. I can sort of relate.
Focusing all my attention on my phone again, I type out a quick message to my hunkalicious boyfriend.
You should come and watch me dance.
Where are you?
I tell him, ending it with, want me to tell you what I’m wearing so you can find me?
Baby, I could find you anywhere is his immediate reply.
Smiling so hard my cheeks hurt, I tuck my phone into the front pocket of my jeans and smile at Jen. “Let’s go upstairs.”
Chapter Sixteen
The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space. – Marilyn Monroe